Sibur Holding, Russia's top melted petroleum gas manufacturer and exporter, will boost LPG loadings from the Baltic port of UstLuga by a quarter this month after securing more gas carriers, 2 people knowledgeable about the business's plans informed Reuters.

They said the company would increase LPG loadings to 52,000 metric heaps from 43,000 heaps in May.

LSEG data revealed Sibur's LPG export volumes fell by 48% in January-May from last year. The drop showed a lack of tankers after a time-charter agreement with a shipping company Navigator Gas ended in December, the sources stated.

From June, Sibur has chartered 2 brand-new gas providers - Falcon and Negmar Min - efficient in bring 20,000 metric tons each and might increase its exports, they said.

An LPG cargo (about 20,000 tons) is planned for packing on Falcon early in June, among the sources said.

According to LSEG, Falcon is owned by Dubai-based Delta Overseas Shipping, and Negmar Minutes by Turkey's Negmar Denizcilik.

Sibur and Negmar Denizcilik decreased to comment while Reuters was not able to reach Delta Overseas Shipping for remark.

By chartering more carriers Sibur could further increase its exports from Ust-Luga. According to the sources, Russian Trains verified a capability to ship 86,000 metric tons of Sibur LPG to the port this month.

Sibur needs more tankers since voyages to end users take longer as the business increasingly ships to Turkey and the Middle East while European demand for Russian remains low because sanction threats.

Ust-Luga is the main Russian port for LPG exports. It accounted for a quarter of all exports in 2015, with all the volumes provided by Sibur.

LPG is commonly used in the petrochemical industry as an alternative to naphtha and a as basic material. It is also utilized for heating and cooking and as a car gas fuel.